Home Instead: ‘Loyda’s Been Exceptional from the Beginning’
Not long after Loyda Sorenson left an in-home care agency that had a footprint in her hometown of Big Spring, Texas, she joined Home Instead® of Midland-Odessa, an award-winning franchise whose office is about a 40-mile drive southwest of Big Spring. The Home Instead staff said there’d be plenty of clients in Big Spring, so Loyda could spend most of her time there.
That statement was on the money.
One of Loyda’s clients at her previous job discovered where she went, and he signed up with Home Instead. They were soon reunited. “He followed me. I had a closer relationship with him than most other clients. He was very nice. I’d take him for ice cream. He was an 82-year-old military veteran who had many challenges. There was cancer, Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s. I learned so much about his afflictions, so I had learned how to take care of him,” said Loyda, who was honored as Home Instead’s Care Professional of the Month for July, one year after she joined the franchise owned by William and Lorena Shensky.
“After I left my previous job, I took some time off, but I was sure I wanted to resume helping people. I liked Home Instead from the very beginning. They gave more good training than I previously had received, and I was more confident about facing all different kinds of situations.”
Home Instead Recruitment and Engagement Advisor Rozephyr Jean said: “Loyda has been an exceptional asset from the very beginning. Her knowledge, professionalism and caregiving skills have consistently exceeded expectations. Loyda is assigned to a highly specialized client through the Wounded Warrior program, serving individuals who suffered traumatic brain injuries while serving our country. This assignment required her to successfully complete extensive external training and obtain specialized clearance before she was eligible to provide care.”
Rozephyr added: “In addition to her specialized role, Loyda consistently demonstrates her dedication by accepting out-of-town assignments and overnight shifts whenever needed. Her reliability, compassion and commitment to providing exceptional care make her an invaluable team member. She truly exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding Care Professional.”
In general, Loyda said, there is hopelessness among the elderly. She noted: “I’ve been able to come alongside them and show them empathy and compassion so they can shake that hopelessness. Sometimes seniors feel forgotten. I have what it takes to boost their spirits. I’ve seen some very hard situations.”
Loyda is regularly assisting two clients, including a 53-year-iold military veteran. “He has a brain injury and uses a walker. As a companion, I take him to movies, shopping or restaurants three days a week. He’s a happy guy. There’s not much for him to do where he lives, so he’s happy to get out,” Loyda said. “My woman client is also a military veteran, but she is in her 70s and lives in her home.”
Loyda has memories of other clients. “I had a client in Seminole, about 85 miles from Big Spring. He was in his late 40s or early 50s. He’d be in bed when I’d come in. I’d say, ‘Good morning’ with a smile. He would say, ‘What’s so good about it?’ He was wheelchair-bound or flat on his back as a result of back trauma. I could feel his pain,” Loyda said.
“I told him not to lose hope, that if he’s still alive, there is a purpose for his life. He said, ‘What do you know about hope?’ I shared my late husband’s story of suffering from cancer but continuing to fight. My late husband was a runner and then, all of a sudden, he couldn’t run at all. My client took my words to heart and saw life in a different light after that. His whole attitude changed. To see your clients smile, that just makes your day. It makes a difference for them and for you. The client wished I could live closer and take him full time.”
One other client had severe Parkinson’s. Loyda explained: “In general, Parkinson’s clients can sometimes feel good for a long time, and then everything can quickly go downhill. I gained his trust quickly. He followed directions really well.”
Loyda was asked how long she thought she could continue in senior care, given the challenges she faces. “There is a lot of burnout in senior care, but I’ve continued because it is in my heart. I want to make a difference. I’m not in it for the paycheck. This is a calling for me,” she said.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
